Speaker: Enrico Scarpa

Date: Thursday 9th of November 2023, 1:15pm.

Abstract:

Starting from the 1990s, channel modeling research has been exploring how to replicate channel systems and examining the influence of modeling parameters on hydrocarbon recovery. Today, amid our strong commitment to ecological transitions, some of these investigations are shifting toward applications in CO2 storage and geothermal energy production. However, little attention has been directed towards understanding how facies elements within deposits affect the flow and heat transfer in geothermal energy systems. Often, small-scale heterogeneities in rock types are not represented in reservoir modeling due to the complexity of the geological models and the lack of data. This oversight leads to neglecting the reservoir connectivity of channel deposits. To tackle this absence, I aim to analyze how layers of shale within turbidite channels impact the performance of geothermal reservoirs. By using an appropriate stratigraphic grid setup, the volumes of the channels and the shale layers are preserved, allowing for the stochastic simulation of physical properties. Consequently, I will explore two geological scenarios: one with varied channels and another incorporating varied channels with shale layers. Using simple dynamic measurements, I will quantify the flow outcomes and compare these models. Results show that shale layers affect energy production, but the time for thermal breakthrough remains steady in both scenarios. This preliminary investigation prompts the inquiry of whether enhanced model realism is necessary for geothermal energy extraction.